Tigo trains teachers on child online protection

Telecom operator, Tigo, in partnership with J Initiative (JI), a youth focused non-governmental organisation, has committed to protecting children online through policy advocacy, awareness creation, public education and community engagement.

Ms Gifty Bingley, the Head of Corporate Affairs, said protecting children online was a global challenge and that in Ghana there was a growing concern among many parents, government, teachers, journalists, child rights advocates and corporate organisations on the issue.

In this regard, Tigo had organised a day’s training workshop for over 80 teachers in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme: “Norms of Appropriate and Responsible Technology Use,” she said.

The training introduced participants to digital tools and their ethical use; maintaining safe online relationship and cyber-bullying among other things.

The teachers, with background in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), were drawn from both the public and private basic schools in 16 districts of the Greater Accra Region.

Ms Bingley said the training formed part of series of activities by Tigo and JI to raise awareness on the importance of Child Online Protection.

She said Tigo was committed to playing a leading role in encouraging other players in the telecommunications industry in Ghana to actively join up and keep children safe online.

“To be able to play the ‘change makers role in your various communities, please take what you learn seriously so you can educate parents who are not well informed to handle child online issues,” Mr Richard Ayitey, the National Examination & Community Participation Co-ordinator from the Basic Education Division of GES, told participants at the workshop.

Awo Aidam Amenyah, the Executive Director of JI, said it was important teachers understood how the whole ecosystem worked and how they could contribute to safer internet for children.

She said though there was lack of measures to protect children online in the country, teachers could help educate, equip and empower children to be more cautious.

With support from Tigo, she said JI would continue to encourage children and young people to use ICT positively and protect them from being exploited online.

Source: GNA